Resale Value: Budget vs. Premium Smartphones

You’ve decided it’s time for an upgrade. Maybe your battery doesn’t last through the day anymore, or perhaps the camera on your friend’s phone makes yours look like it belongs in the early 2000s. So you do what many of us do — check how much you can sell your current phone for. And that’s when it hits you: your once-new device isn’t worth nearly as much as you hoped.

Welcome to the world of smartphone resale value, where not all phones are worth equally. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast who upgrades yearly or a savvy buyer trying to stretch every pound, understanding how depreciation works—especially between budget and premium smartphones—is crucial.

In this blog, we’ll explore what drives budget phone depreciation, why premium device longevity matters in the second-hand market, and how you can make smarter purchase decisions based on long-term value rather than just the initial price tag.

What Influences Smartphone Resale Value?

Before diving into budget vs. premium, let’s cover the basics. Several factors affect how well your phone holds its value:

• Brand reputation
• Build quality and materials
• Update longevity (software support)
• Launch price and demand
• Physical condition
• Included accessories
• Market trends (e.g. trade-in programmes or resale demand)

Unsurprisingly, phones that tick more of these boxes tend to maintain value over time, but the story isn’t always as straightforward as “expensive equals better resale.”

Budget Phones: Affordable Now, But at What Cost Later?

The Upside: Low Entry, Minimal Risk

Budget phones are typically priced under £250 and include models from brands like Xiaomi, Motorola, Realme, and Samsung’s A series.

At face value, they offer:

• Great specs for the money
• Functional designs
• Decent cameras and performance
• Good value for first-time users or light users

Because the initial investment is low, you don’t lose a huge chunk of money upfront, but that also means they rarely retain value over time.

The Downside: Depreciation Hits Fast

Here’s where things start to hurt:

• Software support is short-lived, with many brands offering just 1–2 years of updates
• Hardware ages quickly, especially with cheaper processors and slower memory
• Limited brand prestige means buyers often overlook these phones on second-hand platforms

A phone you bought for £200 may only fetch £40–£60 a year or two later, if it’s still in good condition.

Real example: Rahul bought a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 for £199 in 2022. In 2024, online resale platforms listed it for £50–£70 in good condition. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either.

Premium Phones: Higher Cost, Slower Decline

The Upside: Value That Lingers

Premium devices (usually £700+) from Apple, Samsung, and Google enjoy a much better reputation in the resale market.

Why?

• Premium build materials (glass, aluminium)
• Longer software support (up to 5–7 years)
• Trusted brand image and loyal user base
• Better specs that age more gracefully

These factors help them hold value well past the 2-year mark.

iPhones, in particular, have legendary resale power. According to data from SellCell and Decluttr:

• The iPhone 13 lost only around 35% of its value in its first year
• The Samsung Galaxy S22 depreciated by 55% in the same period
• Budget Android phones lost 65% or more — some dropped in value as soon as they were unboxed

The Downside: Bigger Initial Spend

Of course, buying a £1,000 device is a significant commitment. You’ll still face some depreciation — especially in the first year — but you’re more likely to recoup £400–£600 on resale than £50–£70.

Real example: A Galaxy S21 Ultra bought for £1,149 in 2021 could still sell for around £450–£500 in 2024, depending on condition.

Brand-by-Brand Depreciation Overview

Here’s how popular brands typically perform in the second-hand market:

Data compiled from trade-in platforms, second-hand marketplaces, and industry reports between 2022 and 2024.

How Condition and Extras Affect Value

It’s not just about the brand or model — condition matters hugely when reselling any phone.

Tips to Maximise Resale Value

• Use a case and screen protector from day one
• Keep the original box and accessories — buyers love these
• Avoid physical damage (scratches, dents, cracked screens)
• Wipe data and unlock the device before selling
• Include battery health stats if available (especially for iPhones)

Even premium phones lose hundreds in value due to cosmetic damage or missing accessories, often more than they should.

Trade-In Programmes vs Private Sales

When it’s time to sell, you’ll have a few options:

• Trade-in programmes from brands or networks: Easy, quick, but lower payout
• Private resale platforms like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Swappa: Higher potential value, but more effort
• Specialist resellers like Mazuma, MusicMagpie, or CeX: Mid-range value, moderate convenience

Pro tip: If time isn’t an issue, listing privately with detailed photos and honest descriptions usually nets the best price.

Are Budget Phones Ever Worth It for Resale?

Short Answer: Not Really — But That’s Not Their Purpose

Budget phones aren’t built for longevity or high resale value. They’re designed to be affordable entry points, often lasting 18–24 months before being passed on, recycled, or replaced.

If you go in knowing that, and you only plan to use it lightly or short-term, the resale factor is less important. But don’t expect them to fund your next upgrade.

What About Refurbished Phones as a Middle Ground?

Here’s an increasingly popular route: buy a premium phone refurbished, use it for 1–2 years, then sell it again.

Why This Works

• Someone else absorbs the big depreciation hit
• You still benefit from flagship features
• Resale value drops more slowly after year one

Example: A refurbished iPhone 12 Pro may cost £400 now. After two years, you could still sell it for around £250–£300 — not bad for a device already a few years old.

It’s a smarter way to get both premium features and respectable resale value on a tighter budget.

The Resale Value Equation: What Should You Prioritise?

Here’s a quick breakdown based on user type:

Conclusion: Resale Isn’t Everything — But It Definitely Counts

When comparing budget vs premium smartphones, it’s tempting to focus only on upfront cost. But if you’re planning to upgrade every year or two, ignoring smartphone resale value could mean leaving a lot of money on the table.

Premium devices, especially from brands like Apple and Samsung, depreciate more slowly and can often fund a good chunk of your next purchase. Meanwhile, budget phones serve their purpose — but once they’ve aged, they’re rarely worth more than a pub lunch.

If long-term value, reliability, and performance matter to you, and you want some return on investment later, going premium (or refurbished premium) is usually the wiser choice.